AIM: To study the application of optical coherence tomography(OCT)in the laser treatment for diabetic macular edema.

METHODS: This was a retrospective case study. We reviewed 188 patients(376 eyes)with diabetic macular edema(DME)treating by simple grid pattern laser photocoagulation in Haigang Hospital from January 2015 to June 2016. We measured retinal thickness of macular area within 6 mm scope by OCT at 1mo after laser treatment, analyzed the data using SPSS19.0 statistical software.

RESULTS: At 1mo after laser treatment, average macular retinal thickness with macular center fovea to 1mm at diameter, 1mm to 3mm, 3mm to 6mm is respectively 332.02±18.07, 393.40±19.71, 372.00±20.01μm. The average macular retinal thickness is respectively 404.70±16.37, 445.17±18.25, 410.87±18.14μm before treatment. Compared with before treatment, the difference is statistically significant(P< 0.05). The thickness change with macular center fovea to 1mm, 1mm to 3mm, 3mm to 6mm is respectively 72.68±14.74, 51.77±9.48, 38.87±17.94μm, the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Macular area retinal thickness is reduced at 1mo after simple grid pattern laser photocoagulation, the effect is more obvious when closer to macular center fovea.